Operation Prom Date (Tactics in Flirting, #1)(60)

She was mine now, and I was never going to let go.

“Kate, hey!” Mick nodded at her and approached, leaving Paris to trail behind him. I wasn’t a fan of how he addressed her but not me, as if I didn’t exist.

When he hugged her and told her she looked beautiful, I became even less of a fan. I wrapped my arm around her waist and brought her flush to my side, barely resisting adding a growl. Kate flashed me a quick smile with a hint of be nice added. I supposed I should—after all, he’d agreed to let her out of their date so she could be here with me instead.

Still, I wouldn’t be sending him a fruit basket soon or anything.

“Callihan.” The acknowledgement was hesitant, as was my return nod.

“Hey, Paris,” Amber said, and I think Paris tried to smile, but she didn’t genuinely make the move enough for it to really work on her. Apparently she didn’t mind being Pecker’s backup option, but she didn’t exactly look like she was doing cartwheels over it, either.

“You said we were going to dance.” Paris tugged on Mick’s sleeve and he sighed.

“Fine, let’s dance.” He rolled his eyes at me, like I’d get the hardship, and took Paris onto the floor.

Kate wrapped her arms around my waist and leaned in for a kiss. “Looks like I picked the right date.”

“Looks like?”

She giggled. “Well, I haven’t seen your dance moves yet.”

“Oh, it’s on.” I grabbed her hand and pulled her onto the floor, anticipating spending all night with her pressed against me as we swayed to the beat. “Just remember you asked for it.”





Chapter Thirty-Seven


Kate


Of all the times I’d imagined this moment, it’d never included a friend who’d helped me get ready—Amber and I started talking more after the Spring Festival race, and while we might not ever be the same, she’d apologized for the past and we’d renewed our friendship; a sense of accomplishment—I was at prom, feeling like a princess and wearing a dress I loved, and I swore I could feel my dad smiling down on me for pulling off my mission; and a boyfriend who I loved—even though I was still working up the courage to tell him.

In other words, tonight exceeded my wildest dreams.

Amber grinned at me as she and Jaden danced past us, and I returned her smile and snuggled closer to Cooper.

“And just so you never question my dance moves again…” He grabbed my hand, twirled me away fast enough that my skirt flared, and then spun me back into his embrace.

I laughed and put my hand on the side of his cheek, running my thumb down that delicious dimple. “Now I have no doubt I picked the right date. But I’ll tell you a secret…” I tipped onto my toes. “There never actually was any question. You could be a horrible dancer and I’d still pick you.”

“What if I stepped on your toes?”

“Who needs use of their toes? Totally overrated.”

His grin widened. “What if my knee-jerk reaction is to…?” He slid his hand a couple inches lower on my back, and glanced around before moving it to cop a feel. Not that he could get much of one through the skirt.

Funny enough, that was when I felt offended, but more at the dress than the boy. “I’d be scandalized, but then I’d just teach you some better manners. Like it’s really better to get both cheeks at once.” I slid my hands around his waist and cupped his backside.

His wide-eyed expression made me burst out laughing.

Then we got a dirty look from the chaperones, so I moved my hands back to his chest and he moved his back up to the respectable range.

After the coast was clear and another couple was the target of the chaperones, I wound my arms around Cooper’s neck and linked my fingertips. It brought our bodies close enough together that I could feel the rapid beating of his heart. Or maybe that was mine.

Our chests rose and fell together, and for a few magical minutes, every movement we made, we made as one.

The love I felt for this boy swelled, until every inch of me tingled with it. Once I’d thought that all boys were basically the same, but after spending time with Cooper, I knew that wasn’t true. He was good and kind and smart and funny and he embraced my fandom side and told me that he shipped us. Was it any wonder I’d fallen in love with him?

As the song came to a close, I locked eyes with him. “I’m going to say something cheesy now… Just go with it.”

The music transitioned to a faster beat, but Cooper kept the slower pace.

“I don’t need to wish upon a star,” I said, “because this entire night is perfect, and being here with you is a wish come true.”

Cooper drew me closer, kissed me, and rested his forehead against mine. “You should probably also know, Kate Hamilton, that I’m in love with you.”

Euphoria surged through me, leaving every part of me pleasantly fuzzy. “I love you, too.”

We kissed again, taking our time to do it right, with enough lips and tongues to gain the attention of the chaperones, as well as our classmates.

“So, I might not need any more shooting stars, but will you take me stargazing anyway?” I asked.

Cooper swept a curl out of my face and cupped my cheek. “Until you beg me to stop.”

“Guess it’ll be forever, then.”